The pandemic has made clear that Coloradans rely on each other. This reality extends to our economic future and the work that Colorado’s immigrant community is doing to keep our state open and thriving.
Take, for example, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” are young immigrants who came to this country with their families as children. They have long been contributing to our state, and are now working hard in our fight against COVID-19.
DACA recipients, including 15,000 here in Colorado, have been working in critical industries like nursing, agriculture and many others. They’re also crucial to Colorado’s economy, paying $59.1 million in annual state and local taxes and contributing $527 million in annual spending power – despite the potential for their forcible removal.
Right now, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in South Texas is reviewing a case about the DACA program’s legality and his ruling could result in the program’s termination. If Congress doesn’t act, Dreamers will continue to live in legal limbo, unsure of the future. With legal certainty for Dreamers enjoying the support of 60% of Americans, Congress has a mandate to act.
It’s past time for comprehensive immigration reform. Congress must act and provide Dreamers, as well as the broader undocumented community, with an earned pathway to citizenship by passing the bipartisan Dream Act. I urge President Biden and Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper to work with both parties to pass bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
Brian DavisDurango
